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On Tyranny

Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century
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1 to 25 of 70 items
Sep 08, 2023Luckybe rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a MUST READ, particularly now, as America is facing many of the circumstances described here that occurred in European countries when tyranny succeeded. Twenty lessons worth reflection in a little book worth reading.
Aug 20, 2023bocalibrary_Tanya rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This little book is an excellent guide for every citizen. It contains 20 short and clear principles of civic behavior that protect democracy. Americans have managed to preserve democracy in the form of a republic, however, many other…
Jul 30, 2023kwsmith rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Yale University professor Timothy Snyder examines the darkest political moments from the 20th century, including the rise of Communism and Nazism. Snyder ponders why organized societies of free people sometimes surrender their political…
Apr 07, 2023eusebius rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A useful little book that brings together ideas other philosophers like Victor Klemperer have had on the subject of totalitarian regimes and the lies that sustain them. Trump is not mentioned by name, but his presence is felt constantly.
Apr 06, 2023Tromatojuice rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This ought to be required reading. The drawings are beautiful and give the text even more impact - perhaps making the thought behind it more digestible and palatable. A beautiful work of art that encapsulate an important work on what it…
Dec 28, 2022DavidSpencer99 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book’s 20 lessons teach us how to recognize the threat of tyranny and what behaviors we should adopt to prevent the takeover. Though the author never mentions his name, the 45th president and his actions in office are the reasons we…
Sep 14, 2022reverendmike rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
My comments on the 2021 "graphic novel" version of this book: I'll reluctantly give this 4 stars. The general advice on resisting tyranny is strong, and Timothy Snyder certainly seems to have the credentials (academic & experiential) to…
Jul 24, 2022debaras rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This small book, 126 pages, was published in 2017, months after the electoral college confirmed Trump's election. Most chapters are 500 words or less, short as a news report. A historian specializing in middle European countries, Tim…
Jul 19, 2022cknightkc rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Historian Timothy Snyder writes one of the most consequential, thought-provoking books I’ve read this year. Have we learned nothing from history when it comes to fascism, Nazism, communism, or other forms of tyranny? Snyder sounds the…
Jun 19, 2022robhatem rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I’m thankful Nora Krug’s artwork drew me to Timothy Snyder’s twenty lessons - important and straightforward
Jun 06, 2022MichelleinBallard rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This is my comment on Snyder's 1st edition of *On Tyranny*: Donald Trump's election has given rise to a cottage industry of elite scholars, politicos, and pundits solemnly warning us about fascism, tyranny, etc. Certainly these are evils…
Apr 02, 2022jltate rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Terribly written and disjointed. Not logical and content is NOT what the title states. Kept bringing up Trump (though was so disrespectful did not state him by name) —- sorry President Trump is 21st century. Was totally a “axe to grind”…
Mar 01, 2022jimwarner1980 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Packed full of thought and art. Terrific.
Jan 28, 2022kdl_steven rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Read this a few years ago when it was a print long-form essay and was very impressed by its clarity of thought. This graphic edition more emotionally and viscerally underscores the author's messages and drives home the urgency of the…
Nov 19, 2021RodneyJBrown rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I'm all for any diatribe against Donald Trump (though he weirdly goes unnamed in the text of the book), even if it is a bit fragmented and, by necessity, so deeply steeped Godwin's Law. Written after the 2016 U.S. presidential election,…
Nov 19, 2021RodneyJBrown rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I was hoping this was a graphic novel adaptation of "On Tyranny," but it turns out to be simply a poorly illustrated edition. The text might be slightly revised, but seems the same for the most part, though here it is presented in hand…
Apr 20, 2021AaronAardvark1940 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A slim volume that fights well above its weight. This is a clear call for individual responsibility in observing, learning and acting. There are lessons from history in each chapter, warnings connected with each event, and simple…
Apr 18, 2021wyenotgo rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I recently happened to read about a somewhat informal survey that had been taken in a dozen "emerging nations" asking people at random whether they preferred the "western' model of democracy or the Chinese "people's republic" model as one…
Apr 17, 2021chazbufe rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I guess there's some value in pointing out the bleeding obvious. There's nothing here that hasn't been beaten to death previously, nothing new at all, which isn't terribly surprising in what's really a long magazine article (well under…
Apr 16, 2021meancanadian rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Are we doomed to repeat history? Only if we fail to learn its lessons. Prof. Snyder presents with a list of warnings that are currently in abundance which we must not ignore if we wish to preserve our freedom.
Apr 10, 2021pallavi54 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Pertinent and thought-provoking book, should be required reading for all nowadays.
Mar 18, 2021jaglowgla82 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was a great book. I think everyone should read it and if you can get it in your private collection ever better. Snyder talks about history lesson on how people were excluded in the past with past Nazi Germany examples. Snyder also…
Jan 16, 2021arewin rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book hits the right points. I read this book after reading a book on the rise of Nazi Germany, and the points it makes highlight what happened there, and why. It is a very short read (126pp), but well worth the time.
Nov 25, 2020BraveNOTPerfect rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I am wondering why such an important topic is delivered in the form of tiniest book size ever? Just to be published and go “under the radar”? Anyhow, you need to start with this one and continue broadening your views with many others....…
Oct 13, 2020Peaches_31 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent book about what is happening in America, and the similarities of this and previious problems and times in other countries. SHould really make you stop and think. Would have been good to read the last 4 years, but better late…